Mail box



Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,669

. I O. R. TIDBALL MAIL Box Fi d March 17 1927 2 Sheets-Shae; 1

amino?! MAIL BOX Filed March 17, 1927 zsneets-sheez 2 $295. TZJMZZ Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTIS R. TIDBALL, OF LUCAS, KANSAS.

MAIL

Application filed March 17,

provide a mail box embodying a base and a ticles from the box.

An important object of the invention is to provide a box of this character having a hinged closure for closing one end of the box, the closure being automatically operated by the movementof the box to open or close the closure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the operating lever may be moved to hold the box in its forward position so that. the delivery man may have the use of both hands in assorting and positioning letters or the like in the box.

.Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a mail box constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through a mail box constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure at is a sectional view taken on line l-4- of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevational view illustrating the flag support.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention embodies a rectangular supporting frame embodying side rails 5 having downwardly ext-ended flanges adapted to fit over a supporting structure 6, the supporting frame being secured to the supporting structure 6 by means of the bolts 7 and 8 respec tively.

BOX.

1927. Serial No. 176,130.

The box proper is indicated generally by the reference character 9, the same being provided with straps 10 under which the horizontal rods 11 of the pivoted.supports 12 are positioned, the rods 13 thereof being cured to the supporting frame by means of the metallic strap let to permit of pivotal movement of the arms with respect to the supporting frame.

Secured to the pivotedsupports 12 rear of the receptacle, are bar-s15 that are of lengths to extend appreciable distances into the box, the bars 15 passing through suitable openings formed in the bottom of the box clearly shown by the drawings.

Pivotally connected with the upper ends of the bars 15, are bars 16 that have their forward ends pivotally connected to the upstanding arms 17 that are secured to the inner surface of the hinged closure 18, to the end that as the pivoted supports 12 swing to a position as shown by Figure 3, the closure 18 will be automatically opened and when the supports 12 move to their vertical positions, the closure 18 will be automatically moved to its closed position.

The body portion or box is returned to its normal position by means of the coiled springs 19, the coiled springs having one of their respective ends secured adjacent to the lower end of the bar 15 associated therewith, while the opposite ends of the springs are connected with the hooks 20 that are hooked around the forward pivoted supporting members 12.

Thus it will be seen that when the box or body portion is moved forwardly, the springs are placed under tension. Secured to one of the rods of the pivoted support 12 positioned adjacent to the front of the machine is a lever 21 that is mounted for slight pivotal movement with respect to the sup port. A locking finger indicated at 22 forms a part of the connecting member that connects the lever 21 to its pivotal support, to the end that when the lever is swung downwardly, the finger will engage the upper surface of one of the bars of which the supporting frame is constructed to lock the box in its forward position so that the delivery man may have the use of both hands in asserting and positioning articles.

The reference character 23 indicates a chainthat has one end connected with the under side of the mailbox as shown by Figat the [ill body portion to insure the box or body portion being held in its upright position.

At one side of the body portion 1s a tubulei" staff support indicated at 2.5, the seinev being provided with a curved .lot formed in the well thereof, which slot has an offset upper e:-;tren1it v 26 for the reception of the stud to! that extends laterally from the staff on which the signal or flag 29 is mounted.

The stud 27 is of a length'so that it may be readily gripped the deliveryinun or person plating an article in the box, to raise or lower the signal.

The stui'i 28 extends through openings in the upper 1rd lower ends of the support and it will be obvious that as the staff is moved vertically, the stuff and its fla 29 which are termed n'eterubly of metal, will be rotated so that the lid}: willbe properly displayed and may be viewed by persons some distance from the box.

I claim:

In a deposit and collection receptacle, it supporting frame, supports pivotelly connected with the supporting frame, :1 box pivotzilly connected with tile supports, :1 lever connected with one of the supports and mounted for pivotal movement with. respect thereto. a finger curried by the lever and adapted to engage one of the supports to hold the box in its dowinverd position, a closure for the box, said closure adapted to simultaneously open with the downward movement of the box, and means for returning the box to its upright position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto atlixed my signature.

OTIS R. TlIDBALL. 

